rosalita knits

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rosalita knits

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1rosalita
Apr 17, 2017, 5:55 pm

I knit. As I'm fond of saying, I've learned how to knit four times and forgotten how to knit three times. So far this last attempt seems to be sticking, although I am far from prolific. Mostly I knit during my lunch break at work, so progress can be slow. I am much more proficient at finding nifty new patterns that I'd like to try and buying new yarn I'd like to use than actually starting and finishing projects!

Anyway, here's a little roundup of what I've accomplished on this last knitting go-round. All comments, questions, and suggestions happily accepted.

2rosalita
Modificato: Apr 17, 2017, 5:59 pm



This was the first thing I ever completed. The model is my friend Liz's daughter, who was so little in 2009 when this was taken and is now nearly six feet tall in sixth grade. It was super simple, as it's sewn flat on straight needles and then stitched together into a hat, with a bit of i-cord at the top instead of a pompon. The yarn is of unknown type; a huge ball of it was given to me by a friend who was moving. You'll see it again further down ...

3rosalita
Modificato: Apr 17, 2017, 6:02 pm



For several years Iowa City had a community art project in which volunteers "claimed" a downtown tree and knitted a sweater for it to wear all winter. In the spring the sweaters were taken down, washed and refashioned into blankets and scarfs and such and donated to community social services groups. This was my contribution in 2014.

4rosalita
Modificato: Apr 17, 2017, 6:04 pm



I told you that multicolor yarn would show up again! I knitted these fingerless mitts in 2014 to wear at work, because my office is on the cold side all year long. This was my first time using double-pointed needles, and I still don't entirely understand how the thumb worked but my knitting guru Liz talked me through it all (that' s her modeling). I still wear these pretty much every day at work.

5rosalita
Modificato: Apr 17, 2017, 6:06 pm



More milestones: This 2015 hat was my first time knitting on circular needles, and my first time knitting cables. I loved the pattern because the cables are meant to sort of twine around each other in the style of a chain-link fence, though I'm not sure my uneven knitting really shows that off very well. This is a pattern I would like to tackle again when I'm more proficient.

6rosalita
Modificato: Apr 17, 2017, 6:08 pm



My friend Joan gave me a ball of yarn and a pattern, so I gave it a whirl in 2016. It's a sampler scarf, meant to show off various stitches. It was useful for me to learn new techniques, although the pattern was poorly written and skipped some rows which I wasn't experienced enough to realize until I'd committed the error to yarn. It's not one I'm super proud of, but I did it.

7rosalita
Modificato: Apr 17, 2017, 6:10 pm



This is probably my favorite thing I've knitted, completed in 2016. It's an infinity cowl knitted entirely in seed stitch. It's knitted flat and sewn together, and it's probably the most even stitches I've ever accomplished. It helps that it's bulky yarn which seems to be more forgiving. I wear this at work when the mitts aren't enough to keep me warm (though not over my head as I'm modeling it here).

8rosalita
Modificato: Apr 17, 2017, 6:12 pm



My most recent project, just completed a couple of weeks ago after languishing on my needles for months. I thought I would like it more than I do, but it turns out the fact that stripes don't line up properly in circular knitting drives me bonkers. I also ran out of yarn at the very end but thankfully I had cast on with an extremely long tail and was able to cut a chunk of that off and tie it on to the yarn end to finish the last two rows at the top.

9Lyndatrue
Apr 17, 2017, 6:28 pm

>3 rosalita: I really love the tree blankie; it's just so sweet. Trees need to be loved, too. :-}

10lauralkeet
Apr 17, 2017, 7:19 pm

Can I hear a "pish tosh"?
(If you're wondering what that's about, go to the conversation on my thread, starting here)

Julia, your knitting is wonderful! I can see how your craft has evolved over time, and you have certainly tackled some ambitious stuff: thumbs! cables! the stitch motifs in that scarf! I love the seed stitch cowl, it looks really comfortable and warm. Although I'm a little concerned about the arctic conditions you work in!! :)

Anyhoo, don't sell yourself short, lady, or I will be back with more pish tosh-ing.

11rosalita
Apr 17, 2017, 8:42 pm

>9 Lyndatrue: I loved that project, Lynda. They did it for 3 or 4 years but then stopped. There have been some major "streetscape" projects downtown that have necessitated the removal of many of the trees that the sweaters were hung on (new trees have been planted but they are spindly right now). I hope they revive it when the new trees get girthier.

>10 lauralkeet: You know, I thought I heard something as I was posting these — a little pish-tosh whispering from Laura! :-)

You are too kind with your comments. I'm frustrated not to be more accomplished — at least to be better at maintaining tension and knitting more evenly — but I know that unless I commit to actually doing more knitting I won't improve very quickly. I would not have dared any of the advanced techniques I've tackled without Liz's help and encouragement. She is a great "of course you can do that" sort of teacher, infinitely patient and always positive.

I haven't settled on my next project yet, but I will keep you all posted! If you have a favorite pattern, please let me know. Also, I'm on ravelry as 'zhawk' if anyone would like to connect over there.

12scaifea
Apr 17, 2017, 9:04 pm

WOOT!! I'm SO glad that you've started a thread, and your projects are gorgeous! I especially love the seed stitch cowl.

*Off to find zhawk on ravelry*

13rosalita
Modificato: Apr 18, 2017, 9:44 am

Aw thanks, Amber. I can hardly look at some of them to be honest because all I see are the mistakes and the uneven stitching. I'm a perfectionist about my own work in everything, apparently. The cowl, though, is pretty good. I'm surprised the stitching is so even considering it's hard for me to switch smoothly between knit and purl every other stitch. But I love the way it looks.

14scaifea
Apr 18, 2017, 6:55 am

Well, you know, you're *supposed* to have at least one little mistake or imperfection in every project, otherwise Athene may get irritated and turn you into a spider. So really, you're just being cautious...

I do love the look of a good seed stitch, but yeah, it's sort of annoying actually to knit one, going back and forth all the time. I'm working on a ribbed scarf for Tomm right now, so the whole thing is K1P1. Yoicks. I must love that guy tons, eh?

15rosalita
Apr 18, 2017, 9:44 am

One mistake in a project would be lovely. One mistake in every row, not so much! I am not familiar with Athene but I don't like the idea of becoming a spider one little bit. *shudder*

I reckon you must think Tomm's an alright fella if you're committed to full project of K1P1 ribbing. I have it on good authority that he's worth it, though.

16scaifea
Apr 18, 2017, 10:58 am

>15 rosalita: Yeah, he's worth it, I suppose...

17avaland
Apr 20, 2017, 3:23 pm

I love the tree blankie! What a great idea. I also love the green scarf and the infinity cowl. It requires a fair bit of patience to do all that seed stitch!

18rosalita
Apr 20, 2017, 5:23 pm

Thanks! Yes, seed stitch is just a wee bit tedious but it's good when I don't want to think too much and keep track of rows and stitches. And I really like the way it looks.

19dudes22
Apr 21, 2017, 6:26 am

I don't knit anymore but love your cowl. Maybe I'll go to the local yarn store and see about maybe making one for my granddaughter for Christmas. I saw a bunch of photos once about the tree scarves - not sure if it was your town, but I thought that was a cute idea.

20rosalita
Modificato: Apr 21, 2017, 6:42 am

>19 dudes22: Thank you! I think a number of places have done the "yarnbombing" tree sweater thing. It really does brighten up a dreary winter, and I am always amazed at how creative people are. My tree sweater is very plain but some of them were amazing.

21mabith
Mag 10, 2017, 3:55 pm

Lovely projects! That yarn for the hat and hand warmers is gorgeous. And wow to doing a whole cowl in seed stitch! I get frustrated just doing the brim of a hat in seed stitch.

22rosalita
Mag 10, 2017, 4:39 pm

>21 mabith: Thank you so much! My knitting guru friend Liz tried to warn me that I might grow to hate seed stitch by the end of the project, and I'm still surprised that I didn't. I haven't committed to tackling another large seed-stitch project, though. :-)

23mabith
Mag 10, 2017, 5:55 pm

It's such a gorgeous effect that it's worth doing, for sure.

24mmignano11
Mag 15, 2017, 6:32 pm

Hi Rosalita, it has been quite a while since you have heard from me but I have been busy packing and recovering from cellulitis of the legs. I'm doing pretty well though and have been trying both knitting and crocheting. This week I started crocheting because I got a good start with the knitting but when I needed some advice I didn't have a soul to turn to so I got discouraged. I did some pretty even stitches though so I felt I made a good start thus I was quite discouraged when I couldn't get some help. NOW...I am trying to get through the first row after the chain stitch which my crochet book says is the toughest row to do and if I can get through that I can be sure to move on quite easily. Well, I don't know about that! I am feeling discouraged again and I really, really want to knit AND crochet! So I will send some pics of my attempts and maybe some one on LT can give me some hints on getting through that tough second row. I'm trying to leave my stitches loose so I can get under them and push them off the hook. The book I am using is the one by the lady who calls herself The Stitch Bitch. The instructions looked pretty clear cut to me so I picked her above all the other beginner crochet books. They all claim that they picked up a book and taught themselves how to knit and crochet but I don't believe that they did it without some human hands-on input! I just don't believe it. I am really enjoying looking at the pictures of all the projects done by my fellow LTers. You are all talented, lovely people. I have been needle-felting and drawing and doing some origami. Also should be beginning some face-painting at local flea markets etc. soon. I have to figure out how to get my pics on here to show you my needle-felting. I can take pictures with my tablet. Any suggestions would help. I think there is some instructions on that on the wiki page, or something like that. I will give it a try anyway. I am looking forward so much to seeing all the beautiful projects my fellow LTers will be making! And I love to get all the helpful advice and hints. It's one of the best groups on here in my opinion.

25mmignano11
Mag 15, 2017, 6:35 pm

By the way, I think you have done a great job with your projects. I love fingerless gloves. Around here, if you make them, people are constantly asking you to make them a pair and then a pair for a friend and on and on...a friend of mine made all her Christmas money doing that one year.

26rosalita
Mag 16, 2017, 10:11 am

>24 mmignano11: >25 mmignano11: Good to hear from you again, Mary Beth! I cannot imagine trying to learn knitting or crochet from a book. In fact, I tried to learn crochet that way when I was a kid. I asked for and got a crochet kit for Christmas one year, but could not figure out how to do it from the included instructions. My mom had to show me, as she had crocheted when she was younger. Ironically, I lost interest in crocheting pretty quickly but she kept at it and ended up making a huge number of afghans and blankets and all sort of things for the rest of her life.

I didn't take up knitting until I was an adult, but again I had a friend who taught me by demonstrating and helped me when I got stuck. I still get stuck, quite often, and without Liz or someone like her to help me out I would never knit another stitch again. So I wish you luck with trying to learn from a book — apparently people do manage it, and more power to them!

There's a thread called How To Do Fancy Things in Your Posts that can help you figure out how to post pictures from your tablet. I think you can ask questions there as well if you get stuck.

27mmignano11
Mag 16, 2017, 10:35 pm

I have my doubts about learning from a book. I am going to go to a group at our local library and ask for some practical help. The book helps but I need a human to say yes, no, bad or good!

28mmignano11
Mag 16, 2017, 10:35 pm

I have my doubts about learning from a book. I am going to go to a group at our local library and ask for some practical help. The book helps but I need a human to say yes, no, bad or good!

29mmignano11
Mag 16, 2017, 10:36 pm

Sorry about the duplicate. My tablet was going slow and I posted twice.

30scaifea
Mag 17, 2017, 7:03 am

>24 mmignano11: Mary Beth: If you do better with someone telling and showing you how to do something, I humbly suggest that you do a quick search on youtube for knitting how-to videos. There are tons, covering pretty much any question of difficulty you may have, and they're in general pretty excellent. I've gotten myself out of lots of tricky spots that way. And good luck!

Hello, Julia!!

31rosalita
Mag 17, 2017, 7:21 am

>27 mmignano11: I think getting some in-person help is a great idea, Mary Beth. Sometimes you just need someone to show you how to hold your hands or move the yarn for a particular stitch. Good luck!

>30 scaifea: Oh, YouTube videos is also a great idea! I've watched quite a few and they can be enormously helpful. Good thinking, Amber!

32lauralkeet
Mag 17, 2017, 7:43 am

Hi Mary Beth!

Seconding the vote for YouTube videos. I learned to knit from a "live person," but YouTube has saved my bacon more times than I can count, when I mess something up and/or can't remember how to do something. Honestly, my browser should just open with a "how to pick up dropped stitches" tutorial. :)

33judylou
Mag 18, 2017, 7:44 am

Yes, YouTube has been a lifesaver for me too. When I decided to start quilting, I knew no one who quilted, so I was on my own. Every step of the way I you tubed. A great learning tool!

34mmignano11
Mag 24, 2017, 5:47 pm

Thanks for the advice. I had heard that about Youtube and had referred to it for other projects. I will let you know how it goes. Recently, I found a great little book on crocheting at Target. It was just a little inexpensive book I found on an end cap and it proved to be more helpful than my twenty dollar book from Barnes and Noble! Oh well, whatever works, right?

35judylou
Mag 24, 2017, 6:45 pm

Exactly! Whatever works for you is the best. We all learn differently.

36mmignano11
Giu 3, 2017, 4:30 pm

I am happy to report that I am doing quite well learning, or teaching myself, to crochet. I am enjoying it and not feeling too frustrated. I have joined a group at our local library of knitters and crocheters, well, all the needle arts and they should be helpful if I get stuck with stitches, etc. Biggest stumbling block right now is that I have to move and our deadline is June 15th! That is coming up quickly and packing is for the birds! It is torture on my legs.

37judylou
Giu 5, 2017, 4:02 am

Packing is no fun 😒

On the other hand the library group does sound like fun!

38rosalita
Lug 30, 2017, 7:52 pm



Yesterday Amber and I met in Dubuque for a little book browsing, a little yarn browsing, and a little lunch. I came away with three balls of this gorgeous superwash merino to make a copy of my seed-stitch cowl for a colleague who asked if I would make one for her.

The other item is not a pack of cigars, although it kind of looks like it, doesn't it? Actually, they are storage tubes for sets of DPNs, which I really need. I've been keeping mine in the original plastic packaging and it's starting to get little tears and splits.i thought these were really cute.

39scaifea
Lug 30, 2017, 8:35 pm

>38 rosalita: Woot! That yarn is gorgeous. I can't wait to see the cowl when you've finished!

40lauralkeet
Lug 31, 2017, 6:31 am

Pretty yarn! And those tubes, I have a couple of those, in a different brand. They're great for keeping the needles together while they are in use on a project.

41rosalita
Lug 31, 2017, 6:39 am

>40 lauralkeet: Thanks for helping me choose it, Amber! The more I look at it, the more I worry that I will end up wanting to use it for a project of my own! Poor Kerby.

>41 rosalita: Thanks, Laura! I'm glad you find the DPN tubes useful. They seemed like they would be handy.

42scaifea
Lug 31, 2017, 6:41 am

>41 rosalita: Ha! Well it's her own darned fault for not picking out her own yarn! Maybe a life lesson is needed...

43rosalita
Lug 31, 2017, 6:43 am

>42 scaifea: Exactly! Every time I look at it, I think, "She doesn't even know you've bought it, so she can't be disappointed ..." Wicked!

44lauralkeet
Lug 31, 2017, 6:45 am

>43 rosalita: ooh, that's crafty (see what I did there?!) but ya know, why not? Keep the yarn and take your friend yarn shopping. And maybe you'll buy EVEN MORE YARN. Win win win!

45rosalita
Lug 31, 2017, 5:54 pm

>44 lauralkeet: I like the way you think, Laura!

46scaifea
Ago 2, 2017, 11:43 am

>43 rosalita: Ha!

>44 lauralkeet: Ooooh, excellent idea!!

47mabith
Ago 3, 2017, 5:53 pm

I didn't know those tubes existed! I definitely need to invest in some of those. That yarn looks so yummy.

48rosalita
Ago 4, 2017, 6:15 am

>47 mabith: Aren't those tubes nifty? I had no idea they existed either, but as soon as I saw them I knew I had to have them.

49rosalita
Modificato: Ago 10, 2017, 9:13 am

On the Needles



It's going to be a hat when it grows up. Right now I've just completed the ribbed section at the bottom, ready to move onto the main body. Here's the pattern I'm using, though obviously not these colors:

50lauralkeet
Ago 9, 2017, 3:12 pm

I love that pattern! And your project bag, too -- very cute.

51rosalita
Ago 9, 2017, 3:19 pm

Thanks, Laura! I am somewhat regretting the choice of black because it is almost impossible for my tired eyes to see the individual stitches to know whether they are knit or purl, but now that the ribbing is done it's all knit the rest of the way so it'll be fine. This will be my first colorwork/colorstranding (not sure how to describe it exactly) so I wanted something that was fairly simple. I like the way it transitions, though.

52scaifea
Ago 10, 2017, 6:52 am

Cool hat pattern! In appropriate colors, of course.

I also want to say that I LOVE that knitting bag!!

53rosalita
Ago 10, 2017, 9:14 am

>52 scaifea: Isn't that bag adorable? I couldn't resist it (well, to be fair, I didn't try very hard). :-)

54judylou
Ago 10, 2017, 7:48 pm

I'm also a fan of that bag. And those hats look pretty cool too!

55rosalita
Ago 10, 2017, 9:41 pm

>54 judylou: Thanks, Judy! We'll see if the hat I actually knit myself ends up looking anything like the picture from the pattern page. :-)

56mabith
Ago 11, 2017, 10:08 am

Love the hat pattern and I'm another fan of the bag.

57rosalita
Ago 11, 2017, 10:39 am

>56 mabith: Thank you! I hope that having a cute project bag will encourage me to actually pick it up and work on it more often. :-)

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